Funny 'Becky's New Car' a memorable trip

Sunday

Mar 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

by April Helms special products editor

Stow Players closes its 2012-13 season with "Becky's New Car," which can be seen through March 23.

The play can be best described as a dramatic comedy, one with a lot of humor and warmth, and with fantastic characters brought to life by a talented cast. But this is a story with a bittersweet ending.

Pat Robertell-Hudson of Silver Lake carries the lion's share of the load as the title character, Becky Foster. The audience becomes a guest in Becky's house -- and her life -- as she relates her average life at home and at the car dealership where she works.

She is married to Joe (played by Tom Marshall of Tallmadge), a steady, even-tempered man who works as a roofer. They have a son, Chris (played Scott Foster of Uniontown), a bright graduate student who has failed to find himself despite his psychology studies and still lives in their basement. Becky often finds herself serving as a sounding board for co-worker Steve (played by Steve Harmath of Medina), whose recent loss of his wife has cast him adrift.

One night, Becky's life changes forever when Walter Flood (played by Mike Guffey of Stow), a recently widowed millionaire, shows up after hours to purchase vehicles. During the course of their conversation, Walter mistakenly thinks that Becky, too, is a widow and invites her to his house. She attends a party at his grand mansion, and meets Walter's daughter Kensington (played by Theresa Byron of Akron), who is dissatisfied with her gilded life, and Walter's neighbor Ginger (played by Charlotte Senters of Randolph), whose recent misfortunes have made her reflect on her past with a new honesty.

Becky's double life gets her more and more entangled as the story progresses, with a couple of curves in the road that she doesn't see coming until it's too late.

The opening night audience on March 8 seemed to enjoy the show.

"I thought it was topical for the times," said Doug Senters of Randolph. "It shows how things can get out of control."

Lorena Goold, director for the show, said that the play was commissioned by a man who wanted a play for his wife's birthday.

"He wanted something light-hearted," Goold said.

Goold said she loved directing the show.

"I really enjoyed working with the cast," she said. "This is a really strong cast."

Robertell-Hudson said the role was a bit of a challenge, but "once you know the character, it makes it easier -- and she is a character." She added the show has "so much good humor in it, and the characters are so real."

Ticket and show information

Tickets for "Becky's New Car" are $12 general admission; $10 for senior citizens and students.

All Stow Players performances are in the Heritage Barn in Stow's Silver Springs Park, with access from the Young Road entrance only. Call 330-655-6051 for reservations and information. Information also can be found at www.stowplayers.net.